culminant, a. (and n.)
(ˈkʌlmɪnənt)
[ad. late L. culminānt-em, pr. pple. of culmināre to culminate. Cf. mod.F. culminant.]
A. adj.
1. Of a heavenly body: That has reached its greatest altitude, that is on the meridian; hence fig. that is at its greatest height.
| 1605 Camden Rem. (1637) 358 The whole constellation of Ariadnes crowne, culminant in her nativity. 1658 Willsford Natures Secrets 35 When any Star is upon the Meridian, it is said to be culminant; and..is then of most force to that place. 1684 Observator No. 129 In the very Lust and Vigour of the Phanatical Conspiracy, when Oates was Culminant. 1824 Coleridge in Lit. Rem. (1836) II. 411 The superstition of the letter was then culminant. 1875 Blackmore A. Lorraine I. vii. 41 A softer and more genial star was culminant one evening. |
2. Reaching the greatest height, forming the summit or highest point, topmost.
| 1849 Dana Geol. vii. (1850) 420 Islands are but the culminant peaks of mountains. 1854 Hooker Himal. Jrnls. I. i. 22 The culminant rocks are very dry. |
† B. n. A culminant star (in quot. fig.). Obs.
| 1654 Whitlock Zootomia 288 The..Culminant in a Princes favour, takes all the Honour from the Lord of his Ascending. |